The Pace to be world champion

Carlos Pace won only one grand prix, but did his death in 1977 rob F1 of a future world champion? LITO CAVALCANTI tells the Brazilian's story

Since his death in 1977, Jose Carlos Pace, rated as one of the best 25 drivers never to have won the world championship in this week's special AUTOSPORT feature, has been deeply missed in Brazilian motorsport.

Regarded as one of the brightest talents of his generation and a driver with the potential to be a world champion, he passed away on March 18 1977 when the plane carrying him and fellow driver Marivaldo Fernandes crashed during a tropical storm.